<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.24.2.u1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>184</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>239</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>45</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000001 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952151 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952152 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952153 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952154 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952156 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952157 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquityConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952159 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BasisofPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952160 - Disclosure - Recently Adopted and New Accounting Standards New Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RecentlyAdoptedandNewAccountingStandardsNewAccountingPronouncementsNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently Adopted and New Accounting Standards New Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952161 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952162 - Disclosure - Receivables, net (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ReceivablesnetNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables, net (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952163 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952164 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant, and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952165 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOther</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952166 - Disclosure - Payables and Accruals</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PayablesandAccruals</Role>
      <ShortName>Payables and Accruals</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952167 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952168 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952169 - Disclosure - Other Operating Charges, net (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/OtherOperatingChargesnetNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Operating Charges, net (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952170 - Disclosure - Non-operating Income (Expense) (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/NonoperatingIncomeExpenseNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Non-operating Income (Expense) (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952171 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952172 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952173 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952174 - Disclosure - Earnings per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/EarningsperCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952175 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952176 - Disclosure - Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Items</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/UnusualorInfrequentlyOccurringItems</Role>
      <ShortName>Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Items</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952177 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995410 - Disclosure - Pay vs Performance Disclosure</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/PvpDisclosure</Role>
      <ShortName>Pay vs Performance Disclosure</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995445 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/InsiderTradingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954471 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954472 - Disclosure - Receivables, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ReceivablesnetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ReceivablesnetNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954473 - Disclosure - Inventories - (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories - (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/Inventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954474 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954475 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOtherTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOther</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954476 - Disclosure - Payables and Accruals (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PayablesandAccrualsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Payables and Accruals (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PayablesandAccruals</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954478 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954479 - Disclosure - Other Operating Charges, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/OtherOperatingChargesnetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Operating Charges, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/OtherOperatingChargesnetNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954480 - Disclosure - Non-operating Income (Expense) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/NonoperatingIncomeExpenseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Non-operating Income (Expense) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/NonoperatingIncomeExpenseNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954481 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits - (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits - (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefits</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954482 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954483 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/StockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954484 - Disclosure - Earnings per Common Share - (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/EarningsperCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Common Share - (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/EarningsperCommonShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954485 - Disclosure - Segment Information - (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954490 - Disclosure - Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954491 - Disclosure - Receivables, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ReceivablesnetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ReceivablesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954492 - Disclosure - Inventories - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/InventoriesInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories - Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954493 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954494 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOtherDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOtherTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954495 - Disclosure - Payables and Accruals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PayablesandAccrualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Payables and Accruals (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PayablesandAccrualsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954496 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Narrative (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Narrative (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954497 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/DebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954498 - Disclosure - Other Operating Charges, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/OtherOperatingChargesnetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Operating Charges, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/OtherOperatingChargesnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954499 - Disclosure - Non-operating Income (Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/NonoperatingIncomeExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Non-operating Income (Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/NonoperatingIncomeExpenseTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954500 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits - Narrative (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefitsNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits - Narrative (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefitsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954501 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954502 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954503 - Disclosure - Earnings per Common Share - Reconciliation of Number of Common Shares Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/EarningsperCommonShareReconciliationofNumberofCommonSharesUsedinCalculatingBasicandDilutedNetEarningsPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Common Share - Reconciliation of Number of Common Shares Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954504 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SegmentInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954505 - Disclosure - Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Items (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/UnusualorInfrequentlyOccurringItemsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Items (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/UnusualorInfrequentlyOccurringItems</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="clw-20240630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954506 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" isDefinitelyFs="true" isUsgaap="true" original="clw-20240630.htm">clw-20240630.htm</File>
    <File>clw-20240630.xsd</File>
    <File>clw-20240630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>clw-20240630_def.xml</File>
    <File>clw-20240630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>clw-20240630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>clw-20240630_g1.jpg</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="774">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2024</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="31">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="5">http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2024</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
